Glenn: All Sorted

Glenn Roeder says that he has accepted Reading's apology concerning their public admission they would like to sign Paolo Di Canio on loan - while he also reveals he has welcomed the Italian maestro back from Bologna.

On Monday, Reading boss Alan Pardew admitted that an official communication was going to the Hammers about Paolo as first division clubs can take loan players even after the transfer window.

The timing couldn't have been worse, however, with Paolo returning to training after a spell at a rehab centre in Bologna.

Says Glenn: "A story came out about Paolo Di Canio and Reading which I have to say did disappoint me.

"I feel as managers we need to start talking to each other rather than using managing directors, chief executives, or agents.

"I am a relatively young coach but I come from the old school of talking to my opposite numbers, and I have had many conversations with other Premiership managers and others up and down the country.

"I ask about the availability of players and they do the same to me, but it stays private, which is what it should do.

"The important thing is that when Alan Pardew did eventually talk to me I am pleased to say he acted very swiftly, and he now knows not to speak publicly about Paolo or any of our players.

"He regrets doing that and I have made it clear that I am not interested in Paolo or anyone going on loan, because they all have an important part to play in these last eight games.

"It has all been cleared up pretty quickly and Alan is aware that neither Paolo nor anyone else is going anywhere."

He insists, however that no lasting damage has been done, and adds: "Reading are having a terrific season and I am sure Alan will continue to do a great job there. They have a realistic chance of making the Premiership, while we are of course looking to secure our status in it.

"Alan has apologised to me and the club and has gone public with that; he now knows what the answer would have been and no one else would have known.

"Funnily enough, I am going to see Reading on Wednesday, when they play Ipswich, but I always was."

As for Paolo's long awaited return, he says: "I welcomed him back and asked him how his knee was, and he went training with the lads.

"We didn't have to go into great detail, he has shown me he is fully fit, and he has enjoyed his training.

"There was no need for 'clear the air talks' or 'a showdown' as people seem to think.

"Paolo has said that, as we hadn't spoken while he was away, there must be agreement and I understand Paolo and what he is saying, and why he says it.

"The thing is now to look forward to Saturday, and that is what we are going to do."

And do, of course, with potentially three more strikers to call upon in Don Hutchison and Fredi Kanoute as well as Paolo.

To that, Glenn says: "Christian Dailly might have something to say about that. He was with Dundee as a striker at the start of his career and he had done very well there in the reserves the week before.

"He got 10 minutes up there against Everton when he came on, and as usual gave his best and played with a lot of energy.

"He is a versatile player."

As far as Fredi, back from a three game ban, is concerned, Glenn says: "I have decided not to risk Fredi in the reserves this week as I think that would be ill-advised.

"Instead, he will have a hard week of football training and we will assess how we feel he is, whether he should start on Saturday or not.

"But Les Ferdinand has done very well for us in these last three games and was important to us on Saturday.

"He worked hard as ever and created Trevor's main chance, while Jermain Defoe was excellent in a game of not many chances, and he retained the ball well."

Whoever Glenn selects - and, more to the point, leaves out - he is calling on the support of all of the players in the coming weeks.

"We don't want anyone rocking the boat, we want everyone pulling in the same direction," he says.

"We feel that what we will do will be by a team effort, from the 11 starting onwards, and we now need a media-free week."